Healthy Ireland Survey 2016 Released
20th October 2016
Healthy Ireland surveyed 7,498 people with face-to-face interviews to gain a further understanding of the health of the nation.
The survey data plays a number of roles, including supporting the Department in ongoing engagement and awareness-raising activities in the various policy areas and supporting better policy development.
Some of the more outstanding findings include: 23% of the population are current smokers. 19% smoke daily and 4% smoke occasionally; 37% of drinkers indicate that they drink six or more standard drinks (binge drinking) on a typical drinking occasion; and just over a quarter (27%) eat the minimum recommended guideline of five portions of fruit and vegetables daily.
When it comes to women’s health, the survey found:
– 34% of women have multiple unhealthy behaviours* compared to 59% of men
– Women aged under 25 are more likely to smoke than men of the same age: 21% and 18% respectively
– 52% of women drink alcohol weekly, less than 68% of men
– 27% of women are aware that they are at increased risk of developing breast cancer as a result of heavy drinking. 16% of women aged 15 to 24 are aware of this risk
– A third (33%) of women and over a fifth (21%) of men eat the recommended minimum daily amount of fruit and vegetables
– Fewer than 1 in 10 (9%) of women take a folic acid supplement which is recommended for all women who may become pregnant
– Women (78%) are more likely to have visited a GP than men (66%)
Men aged 15-24 have higher positive mental health than women of the same age (72.9% and 65.2% respectively)
You can read the report in full here.
